The SA20 League gets underway on Tuesday 10 January when the first of 33 matches take place. CSA’s hail mary T20 competition is set to feature some exciting players from abroad and from the local scene.
MI Cape Town vs Paarl Royals | SA20 Match 1 | Tuesday 10 January 2022 | Newlands, Cape Town | 17:30
MI Cape Town 92/100 | Tie 25/1 | Paarl Royals 92/100
MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals might end up contesting the final of this competition, but for now, they start it off.
Jofra Archer has a clear limit on the number of games he will play, but the MI Cape Town lineup has plenty of quality overseas players, including compatriot Sam Curran.
Meanwhile, the Paarl Royals have perhaps the biggest get with Jos Buttler set to turn out for the Rajasthan-linked group.
The Royals have an impressive batting lineup, but they will be tested by a team who sport the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan.
Verdict: MI Cape Town 92/100
What a cracker this promises to be. MI Cape Town shade it on paper for me, however. With no form go on yet, that’ll have to do!
Durban’s Super Giants vs Joburg Super Kings | SA20 Match 2 | Wednesday 11 January 2022 | Kingsmead, Durban | 17:30
Durban’s Super Giants 23/20 | Tie 25/1 | Joburg Super Kings 72/100
Durban hosts a ‘Super’ opening match with Durban’s Super Giants tackling the Joburg Super Kings.
The Super Kings will give Janneman Malan a chance to prove his chops in T20 cricket, after his ODI breakout.
Durban’s Super Giants will expect a lot from their marquee man Quinton de Kock.
The Super Kings might also need Faf du Plessis to give them the kind of powerplay starts that he has achieved at CSK.
Verdict: Joburg Super Kings 72/100
This might be a closer run thing than the betting suggests, but I expect the Joburg side to head back up the N3 with a win.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Pretoria Capitals | SA20 Match 3 | Thursday 12 January 2022 | St George’s Park, Gqeberha | 17:30
To Win Match
Sunrisers Eastern Cape 5/4 | Tie 25/1 | Pretoria Capitals 67/100
Sunrisers Eastern Cape start the tournament as underdogs but they at least start their campaign at home.
The Pretoria Capitals are headlined by Anrich Nortje who is also backed up by an excellent collection of bowlers.
The Sunrisers have exciting youngster Tristan Stubbs looking to step up and take a big role.
English leg-spinner Mason Crane might need to get through a lot of work to cover the Sunrisers spinning requirements.
Verdict: Pretoria Capitals 67/100
This might be the start of a long old campaign for the Eastern Cape franchise.
